The CBI has urged the government not to make British business "a lone crusader" on climate change, saying consumers must also play their part.

It says business leaders are "tired of being the only ones to carry the can" for environmental problems, when British firms are leading the search for solutions.

John Cridland, CBI deputy director-general, pointed out that industry had cut carbon emissions by 6 per cent between 1990 and 2003. During the same period, household emissions increased by more than 10 per cent while transport emissions rose 4.6 per cent.

The CBI was responding to news of a fresh government consultation on climate change and a five-year plan for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Mr Cridland said: "Employers are increasingly frustrated that they are being asked to carry the can alone for the climate change problem.

"With business already doing a great deal, now is the time to turn attention on the creation of more green consumers. The government's plans acknowledge the importance of changing consumer behaviour but the solutions for making this happen are unconvincing."

Mr Cridland said ministers must also counter attempts by environmentalists to make companies scapegoats by acknowledging the contribution firms are making to help resolve the climate change problem.

"Not only has British business done more than anybody else to tackle climate change, we are also way ahead of competitors," he said.

"We are already way in front of near competitors like France and Germany, as well as big polluters like the US, India and China."